Winter Cumbrian Mountain Expresses 2014

Thanks very much

'The Long Drag' seems to be more often attached to the northbound climb, but has also been applied to the southbound climb as well in various places; for me they both deserve the title. I have read somewhere that some consider the real 'Long Drag' to be Carlisle - Ais Gill, 45 miles of mostly climbing, no doubt a joy for crews back in the day with a sick loco.

Many thanks Alan, much appreciated. Very lucky with the late running on Shap, giving the sun time to make an appearance. Yes that's right, High House Fell, quite a walk from there to Great Shunner

Thanks very much and yes Hillsider may be a spin-off yet!

 

There is also respite at Helwith Bridge on the northbound, and (admittedly) fairly minor ones at Settle, Horton and Ribblehead. I would agree that the northbound climb is marginally tougher on paper than the Ormside - Ais Gill stretch but, as I say, many books and authorities on the subject also refer to the southbound climb as the long drag, and I agree with that notion.

 

There is conflicting evidence. In C Hamiliton Ellis' "The Midland Railway" there is an account of the accident just north of Ais Gill on 2 September 1913 when the up overnight train from Edinburgh to St Pancras ran into the stalled up Glasgow to St Pancras train which was hauled by No. 993. At the ensuing inquiry Driver Nicholson said that 230 tons was too much for a "999" on the Big Drag in bad weather.

In Houghton and Foster's "The Settle-Carlise Line" there is mention of No. 995 taking a 255-ton train unassisted over the 76.75 miles from Hellifield to Carlisle in 81.5 minutes. Of course Hellifield is well elevated whereas Carlisle is not much above sea level. The differences seemed not to be just weather but the fact that in the accident, Nicholson had bad coal, as did the up Edinburgh train where Driver Caudell was assisting his fireman to flog the train up to the summit. That was the main reason for his missing the Mallerstang signals. On the northbound recorded run, No. 995 must have been blessed with good coal and a determined driver!

Bad coal? Do we ever get that today?

 

Not seen anything/much from the train last Saturday but I've uploaded a sequence p U-Tube from Whalley to beyond Langho. First attempt at putting any vid in the public domain, that's why it's not on here. Enjoy the ride.

 

Peter Kirby Ralph. Should find it. Please tell me if I've made a howler.

 

Is this it?

http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTKdynTGKOFdOkAvSFcoYnQ

 

Thanks Paul,I'll get there eventually! First try with this.

 

Obviously you have now seen this below!

 

Does anyone know what the motive power will be for the last one tomorrow?

 

46115 is allocated to the CME tomorrow

 

Cheers Tony.

 

Not me but if you have half the day we had last week......!

 

Good evening Ralph, I will be on the train tomorrow. PM me if you would like me to text you as it happens.

Cheers

Alan

 

Can't you take him up to Greenholme / Scout Green and impress him there ? German steam (main line) tends to work with only 6 or 7 coaches therefore it would be impressive to show him a REAL train (and a PROPER locomotive !!).